Feeding the Farm Friends: Dos & Don’ts at the De Reebok Children’s Farm

Looking for a family moment your kids will talk about all year? At the De Reebok children’s farm, guests are welcome to feed friendly animals right beside the campsite entrance—an easy, joy-filled experience that’s perfect before breakfast or after a day on the Veluwe. Here you can meet fallow deer, sheep, goats, chickens, and peacocks, and—around June—see newborns arrive and grow throughout the season.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly which animals you can feed at the De Reebok children’s farm, how to interact with them safely and respectfully, what to expect in the June baby season, and how this hands-on fun fits into a relaxed stay at Camping De Reebok in Garderen.

Can you feed the animals at the De Reebok children’s farm?

Yes. Guests are welcome to feed the following animals at the children’s farm beside the campsite entrance:

• Fallow deer
• Sheep
• Goats
• Chickens
• Peacocks

Tip: Keep your camera ready—these friendly residents often wander close, and it’s a lovely introduction to farm life for children.

Dos & Don’ts: Safe, respectful feeding habits

A calm, thoughtful approach helps animals stay relaxed and ensures everyone has a great time. Use these simple guidelines during your visit.

Do

• Keep a flat, open palm when offering food to protect little fingers from eager beaks or lips.
• Offer small portions so animals don’t overeat and everyone gets a turn to feed.
• Move slowly and speak softly; steady body language helps animals feel safe.
• Supervise children closely; show them how to stand sideways and let animals approach.
• Secure packaging and pockets—animals may nibble at rustling bags, so keep plastics out of reach.
• Respect barriers and gates; observe from designated areas and leave any latches as you found them.
• Wash hands after feeding; the campsite’s modern sanitary facilities make cleanup easy.

Don’t

• Don’t chase, corner, or startle animals—give them space to step away.
• Don’t feed animals outside the children’s farm; other livestock follow set routines.
• Don’t offer foods that are sticky, sharp, or wrapped; keep litter and scraps out of enclosures.
• Don’t feed through fences with gaps where fingers could get caught or nibbled.
• Don’t bring pets into direct contact with farm animals.

Newborn season: When to expect babies (and how to visit kindly)

Each year around June, new youngsters are born at the children’s farm. If you’re visiting in June or later, you can watch the young animals grow across the season—a highlight for many families.

Here’s how to keep visits gentle during baby season:

• Give mothers extra room, especially when kids or fawns are nursing or resting.
• Offer food low and still—sudden movements can worry protective parents.
• Let little ones come to you; avoid reaching over them or lifting them.
• Keep noise low near nesting or resting spots so the group stays calm.

Where to find the children’s farm (and what else is nearby)

• The children’s farm sits right beside the campsite entrance, making it easy to pop by throughout your stay.
• Camping De Reebok is one large, flat grass field that’s easy to oversee—parents can keep an eye on kids as they move between play and animal time.
• You’ll find child-friendly play areas around the open field, including an eight-person swing, sandpit, and two trampolines. On hot days, a sprinkler is sometimes placed under the trampolines for extra fun.
• For relaxed downtime, there’s a fully maintained jeu de boules court with benches for players and spectators.
• Covered bicycle storage with e‑bike charging makes it simple to explore forests and heathlands across the Veluwe and roll back in time for evening feeds.
• Good Wi‑Fi reaches every pitch—handy for sharing photos or planning tomorrow’s adventures.

For more on on-site amenities, explore the dedicated pages about Speelvoorzieningen, Fietsenstalling, and Jeu de Boules. To see the layout before you arrive, check the Camping Plattegrond. Want a preview of the animals and field? Browse the photo gallery “Camping de Reebok in beeld.”

Respect the working farm next door

Camping De Reebok sits alongside a working calf farm with three barns near the farmhouse. The calves—about 1,350 in total—are automatically fed twice per day by a mechanised system.

• Please do not feed the calves; their schedules and diets are precisely managed.
• Interested in learning more? The owners offer guided tours and are happy to show guests around the stables.
• You may also spot alpacas living beside the camping field. Enjoy watching them during your stay.

This combination—an accessible children’s farm for feeding and a neighbouring working farm for guided learning—gives families a rich, real-world view of rural life in the Veluwe.

Quick answers (great for first-time visitors)

• Can I feed the animals at the De Reebok children’s farm?
  • Yes—fallow deer, sheep, goats, chickens, and peacocks.
• Where is the children’s farm located?
  • Beside the campsite entrance.
• When do baby animals arrive?
  • Around June each year; you can watch them grow throughout the season.
• Can I feed the calves on the neighbouring farm?
  • No. The calves are automatically fed twice per day. Enjoy a guided tour instead.
• Is there a place to wash hands after feeding?
  • Yes. Modern sanitary buildings are available on the terrain.

Practical tips for your next visit

1. Plan a short first visit so young children can build confidence around the animals.
2. Bring wipes or head straight to the sanitary block to wash hands after feeding.
3. Keep personal items zipped or clipped; curious animals may nudge dangling bags.
4. Share the moment—take turns feeding so each family member has a calm, positive interaction.
5. Photograph from the side to stay out of direct eye lines, which helps animals remain relaxed.
6. Visit at different times of day to see varied activity—some animals are more active when it’s cooler.
7. Speak softly and model slow movements for children; animals mirror your calm.
8. Offer small amounts and pause—letting animals choose to come back encourages trust.
9. Combine feeding time with a play stop at the swing, sandpit, or trampolines for an easy-flowing family routine.
10. Ask the owners if you’re curious—guidance from hosts makes every visit better.

Make it a full Veluwe getaway

Camping De Reebok is at Sleedoornweg 29, 3886 MS Garderen—just about 800 metres from the village centre. The terrain is flat, accessible, and suited to all kinds of camping equipment. Every pitch includes 10‑amp electricity, a water tap, a drain, and artificial grass in the awning area. Cars are parked in the dedicated area directly next to the campsite, keeping the field safe and quiet.

• Opening: The campsite reopens each year on 1 April.
• Energy: The site runs on sustainable systems, with the farm and campsite powered by solar panels and heated by a wood‑pellet stove.

To discover seasonal offers, see Aanbiedingen. For current rates and availability, visit Tarieven and Beschikbaarheid. To map out your preferred pitch, check the Camping Plattegrond. When you’re ready, you can book online via Online boeken.

Conclusion

The De Reebok children’s farm turns a simple stroll by the entrance into a highlight of your holiday—friendly feeding moments, gentle learning about animal care, and the magic of newborns arriving around June. Pair it with a tour of the neighbouring calf farm, relaxed play on the open field, and quiet evenings on the Veluwe, and you’ve got a stay that feels both wholesome and wonderfully easy.

Ready to plan your visit? Call +31 6 23 66 13 11 or email info@campingdereebok.nl. Prefer to browse? Check Tarieven, Beschikbaarheid, and Online boeken to secure your dates at Camping De Reebok in Garderen.